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The Spirit of Poland 

i 

Dorothea M. Hughes 




Successful Rural Plays 

A Strong List From Which to Select Your 
Next Play 

FARM FOLKS. A Rural Play in Four Acts, by Arthur 
Lewis Tubbs. For five male and six female characters. Time 
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and by falsehoods makes Flora believe Philip does not love her. 
Dave Weston, who wants Flora himself, helps the deception by 
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plot, but full of speeches and situations that sway an audience 
alternately to tears and to laughter. Price, 25 cents. 

HOME TIES. A Rural Play in Four Acts, by Arthur 
Lewis Tubbs. Characters, four male, five female. Plays two 
hours and a half. Scene, a simple interior — same for all four 
acts. Costumes, modern. One of the strongest plays Mr. Tubbs 
has written. Martin Winn's wife left him when his daughter 
Ruth was a baby. Harold Vincent, the nephew and adopted son 
of the man who has wronged Martin, makes love to Ruth Winn. 
She is also loved by Len Everett, a prosperous young farmer. 
When Martin discovers who Harold is, he orders him to leave 
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covers she loves Len, but thinks she has lost him also. Then 
he comes back, and Ruth finds her happiness. Price 25 cents. 

THE OLD NEW HAMPSHIRE HOME. A New 

England Drama in Three Acts, by Frank Dumont. For seven 
males and four females. Time, two hours and a half. Costumes, 
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in humor. Easy to act and very effective. A rural drama of 
the "Old Homstead" and "Way Down East" type. Two ex- 
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everybody understands and likes. Price, 25 cents. 

THE OLD DAIRY HOMESTEAD. A Rural Comedy 
in Three Acts, by Frank Dumont. For five males and four 
females. Time, two hours. Rural costumes. Scenes rural ex- 
terior and interior. An adventurer obtains a large sum of money 
from a farm house through the intimidation of the farmer's 
niece, whose husband he claims to be. Her escapes from the 
wiles of the villain and his female accomplice are both starting 
and novel. Price, 15 cents. 

A WHITE MOUNTAIN BOY. A Strong Melodrama in 
Five Acts, by Charles Townsend. For seven males and four 
females, and three supers. Time, two hours and twenty minutes. 
One exterior, three interiors. Costumes easy. The hero, a 
country lad, twice saves the life of a banker's daughter, which 
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15 cents. 

THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 

PHILADELPHIA 



The Spirit of Poland 

A Play in Three Acts 



By 
DOROTHEA M. HUGHES 




PHILADELPHIA 

THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 

1917 



I 



°0 






Copyright 191 7 by The Penn Publishing Company 



The Spirit of Poland 



x» 



Oi.D 48734 

JAN 17 1918 



V* 



The Spirit of Poland 



CHARACTERS 

Pan (Mr.) Malewski . proprietor of a Polish estate 
Pana (Miss) Wanda Malewski . . his daughter 

an American, on way home after 
a year at a Russian college 
a lieutenant in the Russian Army 
. a?i old servant of the Malewskis* 



Tadeusz Bolski 

Sasha Pouvanof 
Sebastian . 
Peasants : 
Jusef 
Magda . 
Stach 
Manka . 
Bartosz 
Hanna . 
Jan 
Basia 

ZOSIA . 
VlKTA ) 

Franka f 



the bridegrooni 

..... the bride 

a lover 

his sweetheart 

an old man 

his wife, foster mother to Wanda 



. his wife 
their little girl 



women 



An infant. 



Two men to fill in dance, 
two if preferred}. 



A fiddler {or 



NOTE 

"a" is pronounced as in " far." 



ch " as in German. 



Time of Playing. — Two hours. 

SYNOPSIS 

Act I. — Outbreak of the European War. 
Act II. — Time of Russian retreat. 
Act III. — The winter of the next year. 



STORY OF THE PLAY 

Pan Malewski and Wanda, his daughter, make ready 
for the dance they are giving. Tadeusz has lost his 
way and accepts Malewski' s invitation to stay over 
night. The dance interrupted by Sebastian's dreadful 
news. " Austria has declared war on Russia ! " Sasha 
Polivanof, a Russian officer, is quartered under 
Malewski's roof. Wanda's contempt. " I hate him ! " 
Tadeusz, who has known Polivanof at college, tells 
him that he has fallen in love with Wanda. Polivanof 
declares that if Russia wins it w r ill mean freedom for 
Poland. Tadeusz is unconvinced. " I have no faith 
in Russia." Wanda accuses him of cowardice, and 
gives Polivanof a knot of Polish ribbon. " When the 
bullets sing, your eyes will light me." The Russian 
retreat — across Poland. Wanda and Polivanof. 
" You will save us." " Marry me and ride with my 
troops to safety." Wanda refuses in scorn. " Give 
me back the knot of ribbon." The homeless peasants 
find shelter at Wanda's house, which has been mysteri- 
ously spared. Hunger. Malewski decides to sell his 
violin. Wanda's plea. " Wait a little — only half an 

hour " The slipping minutes. Tadeusz comes 

from America bringing food and hope. " I thought 
of a face I had seen in my dreams." The hungry are 
fed. " Long live Poland ! " 



COSTUMES, ETC. 

Pan (Mr.) Malewski (pronounced Maleskie). 
About sixty. Act I, wears a good suit of modern 
clothes. Act II, overcoat and hat. 

Pana (Miss) Wanda Malewski (pronounced 
Vanda Maleskie). A pretty girl about twenty. In 

5 



6 COSTUMES, ETC. 

Act I she wears a peasant dress. (See Magda, etc., 
below.) In Act II black dress, long cape and out- 
door wraps. A shawl over head on second entrance. 
In Act III, black dress, with a knot of Polish crimson 
ribbon and a long crimson sash. 

Tadeusz Boeski (pronounced Tadush). About 
twenty-hve. Act I, riding suit. Act III, same, with 
heavy coat over it, and a knot of red, white, and blue 
ribbon. Smooth face. 

Sash a Polivanof. About twenty-five. Uniform 
of a Russian officer, with cape. Wears moustache. 

Sebastian. About sixty. Costume in Act I should 
suggest an old-time servant. It may be black, or 
perhaps brown, with black braid. In Act III wears 
heavy coat, riding boots, cap. 

Bartosz (pronounced Bartosh), Jusef (Yusef), 
Jan (Yan) and other peasants in Act I wear white 
coats trimmed with red or blue, red caps with peacock 
feathers, loose trousers gathered at knee, and high 
boots. Bartosz in Act III wears old gray clothing, 
ragged coat, etc. He has a long beard. Jusef and 
Stach are about twenty-two. Jan is rather older. 

Magda, Manka, Basia (Basha), and other peasant 
women wear gay skirts, some flowered, some striped, 
some white or plain-colored with stripes round the 
bottom. White waists, and bodices of different colors. 
Gay kerchiefs knotted at back of neck, or bare heads. 
Hair done in braids, either loose, or coiled above ears 
or on back of neck. In Act I quantities of beads are 
worn, but not in Act III. In Act II, shawls cover heads 
and shoulders. Magda and Manka are about eighteen 
or nineteen. Hanna is about sixty. Basia, about 
twenty-five. Vikta and Franka, young women. 
Zosia (Zosha), a child of eight or ten, dresses like 
her elders. 



PROPERTIES 

Act I. — Two candles, picture of Virgin. Long 
wreath of red and white flowers, and another of blue 
and white, and a third of any color. Violin, mirror, 
step-ladder, cigarette. Calling card. Piece of candy. 
Embroidered belt, and embroidered cloth. A folded 
paper. Calling card. Bottles and glasses. Bell (to 
be heard off stage). Key. 

Act II. — Newspaper. Letter. Knot of Polish 
crimson. Bundle of handkerchiefs apparently filled 
with personal belongings. Portable household goods. 
Lantern. Basket of food. 

Act III. — Violin and case. Beet roots. Basket or 
package of food. Saddle-bags. (These are two large 
bags of cloth fastened together with a band of cloth 
or leather. They should appear to be stuffed full of 
goods.) Knot, or badge, of red, white and blue rib- 
bon. Polish flag. 



Scene Plot for Acts I and III 

INTERIOR BACKING 



JDOOR 




SCENE PLOTS 



Act I 



Scene. — A room in the house of Pan Malewski — a 
nobleman of ancient family. On right wall, a picture 
of Virgin ; underneath it a stand with two candles. In 
front of it a step-ladder. In left wall, at back, a fire- 
place, and against back wall — next the fireplace— a 
settle. A door at back, and a door at left. A bell- 
rope hangs at the back. Mirror over fireplace. To 
right back, a sideboard covered with silver. The 
room is cleared of the other furniture, as for a dance. 

Act II 

Scene. — A snowy field near the village. A few 
fallen trees or logs. Everything as dreary as possible. 
If a very simple setting is desired, the former scene 
may be covered with white drop curtains, furniture, 
etc., being removed. 

Act III 

Scene. — Same as Act I, except all silver and mov- 
able valuables are gone. Table down l. c. A child's 
coffin is on table. The candles are lit before the 
Virgin's picture. 



The Spirit of Poland 



ACT I 

SCENE. — Pan Malewski's house. Time — At out- 
break of war. 

(Pan Malewski, Wanda and Sebastian discovered. 
Sebastian stands by step-ladder, r. Wanda, down 
C, is dancing. Pan M:, on settle up l., is playing 
an air used later. Wanda stops suddenly.) 

Wanda (c). No, no, I mustn't! I have no time. 
(Runs laughing up l. to her father.) Dear little 
Father, stop. Do you think I can help dancing when 
you play? (She lays her hands on the strings, then 
dashes r. and scrambles up the step-ladder.) Now 
Sebastian, the blue and white. (Sebastian hands up 
a wreath. Just as she is about to put it over the 
Virgin's picture Pan M. begins to play, in the spirit of 
mischief.) No, no ! (Pan M. plays louder. Wanda 
flings doivn the wreath, jumps down, from the step- 
ladder and dances, giving herself up to the swing of 
the music. Then she checks herself. Up c. ) Stop ! 
stop (with a mock majesty), or I shall lose my temper. 

Pan M. (up l.). What a terrible threat! 

Wanda (a, pretending to be offended). Well, I 
have a temper. (Coaxing.) But you won't tease 
me again. (Pan M. lowers his bow; Wanda shakes 
upraised finger.) Don't deny it, you always spoil me. 
(She takes two steps, r., toward the picture, then over 
shoulder.) And now you know I must decorate the 
Virgin's picture. (Climbs step-ladder again and ar- 

9 



10 THE SPIRIT OF POLAND 

ranges a blue and white wreath over the picture.) 
How does that look, Father ? 

Pan M. Very well. 

Wanda. No, let us try the other once more. 
(Sebastian hands up the other wreath.) Of course 
blue and white are her colors ; but she loves the Polish 
red too. 

Pan M. Twist them together, Wanda. 

(She deftly twists them together and hangs them over 
the picture. Bell without.) 

Wanda. There they are ! there they are ! And we 
aren't ready. (Scrambles down off the step-ladder.) 
Quick, Sebastian, hide it! hide it! (Sebastian seises 
the step-ladder. She tries to help him. Wanda, r.) 
Oh, do be quick ! 

Sebastian (r. a). I've got it. There, there, 
leave be. (Wanda watches as though to make him 
move faster by the force of her ardor. Sebastian 
slowly crosses the stage, l.) All this hurry for a lot 
of peasant folk ! (Exit, c. Wanda flies to glass over 
fireplace, l., and smiling at her image puts a final touch 
to her hair and dress. Then she goes up to her father's 
side, l., zvith a skip. Reenter Sebastian, c.) The 
peasants have not come. It is a stranger. 

Pan M. (up l.). A stranger? 

(Places violin in case on settee.) 

Wanda (up l.). What is he like? 

Sebastian. A foreigner, I think. 

Pan M. Has he letters to me? 

Wanda (going c. to Sebastian). Is he young or 
old? 

Sebastian (a). He has no letters. 

Wanda (a). Is he old or young? 

Sebastian (with a shrug). Young. 

Pan M. (coming down L.), Did he say what 
brought him? 

Wanda ( c. ) . Is he handsome ? 

Sebastian, He has lost his way. 



THE SPIRIT OF POLAND II 

Wanda. Is he handsome? 
Sebastian {another shrug). Well enough. 
Pan M. Ask him to come in. I'll do my best to 
redirect him. 

{Exit Sebastian, c.) 

Wanda {coming down l.). Oh, Father, ask him 
to stay. Dear little Father, ask him to stay. 

Pan M. He may be in a hurry. 

Wanda. Oh, no. Why should he be? We never 
see a stranger from one year's end to the next, and 
to-day is my birthday. 

{Reenter Sebastian, c, with Tadeusz Bolski. 
Sebastian withdraws with a bow.) 

Tadeusz (c. ). Pardon my intrusion. 

{Comes slowly down c.) 

Pan M. {coming forward to greet him). You are 
very welcome. I hear you have lost your way. What 
can I do for you? 

Tadeusz. I came to ask which road I had better 
take. I am on my way from Rokitno to Radom. 

Pan M. (l. a). You have indeed lost your way. 

Tadeusz (a). And the worst of it is, my horse 
has gone lame. How far is it to Radom? 

Pan M. A good twenty miles, and bad roads. 

Tadeusz. Worse roads than I have come through ? 

Pan M. Yes. 

Wanda (l., laughing). A man was drowned in one 
once. The coach overturned, and he was drowned. 

Tadeusz. Then I must fling myself on your charity. 
Is there any place near here where I could exchange a 
lame horse for a sound? 

Pan M. Let us talk of that later. In the mean- 
time will you not stay for our festivity? This is my 
daughter's birthday, and all the peasants in the village 
are coming here for a dance. 

Tadeusz. A thousand thanks! But then how 
should I reach Radom before nightfall? 



12 THE SPIRIT OF POLAND 

Pan M. Be our guest for to-night. A room is al- 
ways ready for the stranger, and a place set at table 
for the " man from across the mountains." 

Tadeusz (to Wanda). Have I stepped into a fairy 
tale ? (To Pan M.) I may be fifty kinds of a scamp. 

Pan M. (l. a). No, no! 

Tadeusz (c, to Pan M.). You ask me without 
knowing my name — my business ? 

Wanda (l.). Yes, of course. Why not? It is 
our custom. You are a " man from over the moun- 
tains." 

Tadeusz. "If this be dreaming, may I never wake/' 

Pan M. No dream, I assure you. 

Tadeusz (to Wanda). And the knight in the fairy 
tale came to a palace where all strangers were made 
welcome ; and there he found the fairest princess in 
the world. (To Pan M.) I am still bewildered. 
(Handing his card.) Take my card, to convince me 
I'm not dreaming. {To Wanda.) I will gladly be a 
" man from over the mountains." I count it luck my 
horse went lame. 

Pan M. The good fortune is ours. (He looks at 
card, bows slightly and hands it to Wanda. To 
Tadeusz.) Do you smoke? (He offers a cigarette. 
Tadeusz accepts and lights it, but forgets to smoke.) 
You must be cold. Come nearer the fire. 

(The men stand l. by fireplace. Wanda is back of 
them, by the settle.) 

Wanda (looking at card). Tadeusz Bolski. The 

name is Polish. I thought You speak like a 

foreigner. Are you a Pole? 

Tadeusz. I am of Polish blood. My great-grand- 
father followed Kosciusko to fight for the cause of 
freedom in America. 

Wanda. Then you are an American ? 

Tadeusz. An American citizen — on my way home 
from a year of college in St. Petersburg. 

Pan M. Your home is in the land where all men 
receive justice. 



THE SPIRIT OF POLAND 13 

Wanda. Where the children never see their fathers 
marched off to war. 

Pan M. You do not live in constant terror of the 
police. 

Tadeusz. Why, scarcely. 

Pan M. Every Pole worthy of the name fears the 
police. 

Wanda. And in America every child is taught to 
read. If I were to open a school here I should be 
arrested. 

Tadeusz. You ? 

Wanda (smiling). And sent to Siberia, perhaps, 
if I persisted. 

Tadeusz. Impossible ! 

Wanda. Oh, yes — my father was born there, and 
my grandfather worked in the mines with chains on 
his feet. 

Tadeusz. But now — in these davs — and for teach- 



Wanda (still smiling). I should be accused of stir- 
ring up a revolt. 

Tadeusz. I have begun to understand what freedom 
means — the freedom my great-grandfather fought 
for — now when I see countries without it. First Rus- 
sia and now Poland. It makes me (He checks 

himself.) If only there were hope, a revolt 

Pan M. (bitterly). Ah, a revolt. 

(He shakes his head.) 

Tadeusz. You are hopeless— like my Russian 
friend, Polivanof. Hopeless of anything better. 

Pan M. Those who had hope are dead. 

Tadeusz. But you seem to think nothing you can 
do will make any difference. 

Pan M. Those Poles who tried to make a differ- 
ence sleep in the lost battle-fields. 

Tadeusz. But the people — the peasants That 

is what I tried to show Polivanof. The people will 
not stand it much longer. 

Pan M. You say your Russian friend is a fatalist. 



14 THE SPIRIT OF POLAND 

So am I. But I am not hopeless. Liberty will come 
when it will come. 

Tadeusz. But why not fight to bring it? 

Pan M. I thought the Americans were a practical 
people. 

Tadeusz. So they are, but 

Pan M. A revolt is not practical. 

Tadeusz {eagerly). But is there nothing I can do? 
No cause I can join? Poland gave my great-grand- 
father to America, and America owes my life to 
Poland. 

Pan M. You are true to your race. 

Wanda. I knew you were a Pole at heart. 

Pan M. {taking both his hands). Stay with us, 
learn to know your great-grandfather's country. 

Wanda. You are one of us already. 

Tadeusz. I wish I were. I wish there were an 
army mustering now for the defence of Poland, that I 
might light for her liberty. Perhaps you might buckle 
on — (less seriously) my blanket roll. 

Wanda. If every one felt as you do, Poland would 
soon be free. {Distant music heard. Wanda goes 
to door, c.) Here they come. This is my name day, 
and we have chosen it for Magda's wedding. 
(Tadeusz and Pan M. come down l.) All the peas- 
ants are coming for a dance, and then a feast in the 
big barn. I have decorated the room for it. 

Tadeusz. I see you have red, white and blue there 
in the flowers. 

Wanda. Yes, blue and white for the Virgin, and 
red and white for Poland. 

Tadeusz (l.). But red, white and blue is also 
for 

Wanda (c). Ah, yes! For America, and free- 
dom! (She comes down l. to her father's side. A 
loud burst of music. Sebastian and the peasants 
enter slowly, c, walking two by two. Magda and 
Jusef come first, Hanna and Bartosz next, then 
Basia and Jan, and last of all Manka and Stach. 
Manka is shy with Stach, but he is forward. Little 
Zosia runs near her mother with a wreath. Zosia 



THE SPIRIT OF POLAND 1 5 

runs forward with the wreath to Wanda.) Thank 
you ! Thank you all ! Ah, little one, I have not 
forgotten you. 

(She gives Zosia a piece of candy. Peasants file by, 

greeting Pan M. and Wanda. They half bend 

their knees and kiss their hands. It may take too 
long for all to do this.) 

Peasants. Praised be the name of the Lord. 

Wanda and Pan M. For all eternity. Amen. 

Pan M. So you have been made man and wife. 
I wish you long life and prosperity, and every hap- 
piness. 

Jusef and Magda (c. ). We thank you humbly. 

Magda. Will you accept this work of my hands? 

(Comes down l. Gives a towel, which she binds 
around Wanda's shoulders, and gives a belt to 
Pan M.) 

Pan M. and Wanda. Many thanks. 

(Magda returns to Jusef, up c. Sebastian goes up 
c., and exit.) 

Pan M. Here is something to start your house- 
keeping. 

(Manka collects money in her apron for the bride.) 

Tadeusz. May I add my bit? 

Wanda. Of course ! 

Jusef and Magda. God bless you ! 

Wanda. You are a good worker, Magda. Your 
linen is white and fine. Jusef will have a good house- 
keeper. 

Jusef. Oh, she is a fine lass ! No one makes better 
bread or churns finer butter. 

Partoz. Oh, you have done well for yourself. 
Magda has the largest feather bed in the village. 
Every one will envy you. 



l6 THE SPIRIT OF POLAND 

Vikta (r.). Magda is lucky too. Jusef made so 
much money helping to build the new bridge that he 
bought himself a cow. 

Franka. And another pig and some chickens. 

Manka. Besides, he is a handsome lad, and as 
strong as an ox. 

Stach (up R. a). You had better not notice how 
another man looks. He is not for you. 

Manka (r.). I can look at whom I please. No 
one can forbid me. I'm not married yet. 

Vikta (to Franka). Silly Manka, to quarrel with 
Stach. She may lose him yet. 

Franka (r.). And you would like to find what 
she loses. 

Vikta. Don't be stupid! 

Pan M. You must need refreshments after your 
long ride from the church. They will bring us some 
of our old mead presently. The tables are laid for 
supper in the big barn. 

Wanda. And the lawn is cut smooth for dancing. 
But let us start our first dance here. Come, Jusef — 
you shall be my partner, as is the custom, and Father 
will take the bride. 

(Music strikes up — a fiddler or two may be introduced 
in peasant costume. The dance begins. Sebastian 
dances at one side with Zosia till close before the 
end, when he exits.) 

Tadeusz (snapping his fingers, and taking a few 
steps). I've got it! 

(He whirls round by himself, and then comes laughing 
and triumphant to Wanda's side, and takes her 
partner's place in the next figure. The old people — 
Hanna and Bartosz — dance stiffly but with spirit. 
When the dance is nearly over Sebastian enters, 
c, terribly grave. The couples slozv down breath- 
less, and stop in groups R. and l.) 

Sebastian. Master ! Master ! 
Pan M. What is it? 



THE SPIRIT OF POLAND 17 

Sebastian. News! (Pause.) Austria has de- 
clared war on Russia ! ( The peasants are dazed by 
the suddenness of his announcement.) A squad of 
soldiers has arrived. Russia has sent orders to every 
man in the village. 

Manka (r.). Orders! (She looks at Stach.) 

Magda (r.). Orders! They will take you, Jusef? 

Jusef (r., lifelessly). I do not know. 

Sebastian (coming dozvn c, hands Pan M. a 
folded paper). This was to be given to you. 

(Pan M. reads.) 

Wanda (dozvn l.). Not you, Father? They are 
not taking you? 

Pan M. (l. a). No. Only men worth killing — 
men with tough sinews and young blood — men who 
might one day rise against Russia. I am no good — 
only to curse. No ! All the Russian Government 
wants of me is that I shall open my doors to their 
agent. (Slaps paper with the back of his hand.) I 
am to take their recruiting officer under my roof and 
feed him at my table — yes, at my table. It is specified 
here. 

(Pan M. tears paper and flings pieces on floor, walks 
to fireplace, hides his face on mantelpiece a mo- 
ment and then takes up violin.) 

Wanda (after look at father). Poor old Hanna ! 
Yes, you had better all go. 

Tadeusz. What can I do? 

Wanda (without hearing, to Hanna). Don't cry. 

Tadeusz (up l., suddenly). I may be in the way. 
I think I'll look after my horse. 

(Exit Tadeusz, c.) 

Bartoz. Let us go and gather together all the men 
of the village, and seek to learn more news. 

Hanna. Yes, come. 

Basia (lifting Zosia into Jan's arms). Put your 
arms round Daddy. 



l8 THE SPIRIT OF POLAND 

(Manka and Stach make up quarrel as they go. 
Exit peasants, c.) 

Pan M. I suppose this was to be expected. It was 
to be expected that Russia should put in her front 
ranks Poles, and Germany should put in her front 
ranks Poles; but I wish this might happen to Russia. 

(At the word "this" he scrapes his violin, till it 
screams as if tortured.) 

Wanda. Father ! 

Pan M. And this officer, their representative! I 
am to sit with him, and break bread with him, or it 
will be the worse for me! (Comes down l.) 

Wanda (following). I — I — (catching her breath) 
I shall not speak to him, Father. I shall spill salt 
between us. I shall show him how I hate him. 

Pan M. (looking at her, for the first time and 
earnestly) . No. (He places hand on her shoulder.) 
No. I shall expect you to take your place as hostess. 

Wanda. Perhaps — I don't know — I'll try, but — but 
I don't think I can. 

(Enter Manka, c, tear-stained and breathless. Dur- 
ing following conversation Pan M. goes and sits, 
down l. ) 

Manka (running down l.). Pana Malewski! 
Panienka ! x 

Wanda. Why, Manka! 

Manka. I have got by Pan Sebastian at last. 
Panienka will pardon me? 

Wanda. Indeed, yes. What is it? 

Manka. Stach — they are taking Stach. 

Wanda (smiling sadly). You have forgiven him, 
Manka ? 

Manka. Oh, yes. Panienka does not understand. 
I loved him all the time. 

Wanda (taking Manka's hands). Poor Manka! 

Manka. I loved him all the time, and I have told 

1 Panienka, Little Miss (pronounced Panyanka). 



THE SPIRIT OF POLAND jq 

him so. I am sorry I was bad to him. And we are to 

be married if only Oh, will not Panienka be 

gracious ? Will she not ask them to wait a few days ? 
Only a week, till we are married? 

(She kisses Wanda's hand and looks up at her 
imploringly. ) 

Wanda. Russia never waits — not a day, not an 
hour, not a minute. 

Manka. But if Panienka asked? 

Wanda (very tenderly). I can do nothing, I have 
no power. Go back and say good-bye to Stach. 

(Exit Manka, c, apron to her eyes. Enter 
Sebastian, c.) 

Sebastian. A stranger is at the door. I believe — 
(with detestation) the Russian! 

(He conies down l. and gives visiting card to 
Pan M.) 

Pan M. (rising). Lieutenant Sasha Polivanof. 
That is the man. ( To Sebastian. ) Be polite to him. 
He is our guest. Show him in. 

(Exit Sebastian, c.) 

Wanda. Beast ! I can't stay ! I won't stay ! 

(She turns swiftly.) 

Pan M. Wanda! 

Wanda (her back turned). I hate him. 

Pan M. Wanda ! (She turns her face to him. 
He places Jiand on her shoulder.) Be yourself, spirit 
of ancient Poland, spirit of courtesy. They can take 
away everything else from us but that. We will still 
be courteous. 

Wanda (head thrown back). I understand. I 
never saw before. Because I am a Pole, and he is a 
barbarian, I will not stoop to be rude. 



20 THE SPIRIT OF POLAND 

(Exit swiftly, l. Reenter Sebastian, c, behind 
Sash a Polivanof; he indicates room with a gesture 
of the arm and then makes a stiff bozo and at same 
time pretends to spit, exclaiming "Wool") 

(Exit Sebastian. Sash a unceremoniously flings his 
cape and hat on settle up l., and comes down c.) 

Sash a. Am I addressing Pan Malewski? 

Pan M. (standing, down l.). I believe I have the 
honor to be your host. (Both bow stiffly.) Have 
you dined? 

Sasha. Thank you, I have. 

Pan M. Perhaps you will have some wine? 

Sasha. Yes, I should like some. What I had at 
dinner was very bad. 

(Enter Tadeusz, c.) 

Tadeusz. I have just been to the stable, and it 
seems the Russians have taken a fancy to my horse. 
(He starts at seeing Sasha.) Good gracious! Poli- 
vanof! (Comes down r. c, with hand held out.) 
We didn't expect to meet so soon ! (Sasha steps for- 
ward and, disregarding the outstretched hand, kisses 
Tadeusz on the cheek. Tadeusz stands in comic 
picture attitude, like a small boy being kissed by his 
aunt, his knees bent and his fingers spread out. Aside.) 
All very well with ladies! 

Sasha. I had hoped you were safe out of the 
country. 

Tadeusz. Glad to say I'm not! 

Sasha. With a Polish name and a Polish face, 
your passports might not help you. I'll see you get 
your horse back at once. You must be off. 

Tadeusz (r.). What a piece of good luck that you 
should come here. I had no idea you were a friend 
of the M ale w skis ! 

(A dead silence.) 

Sasha (c). Pan Malewski is too polite to explain. 



THE SPIRIT OF POLAND 21 

I am not a friend, in fact (with sadness), I am an 
enemy. 

Tadeusz (bewildered). You are here under their 
roof 

Sasha. I am quartered here. I was not invited. 

Tadeusz. But still — Pan Malewski, this is the 
Count Polivanof, my college friend I told you about. 

Sasha. You, an American, do not understand. 

Tadeusz. Oh, I understand why Poland hates Rus- 
sia. But you are not an out-and-out Russian. Pan 
Malewski, you should like him. His brother and two 
of his uncles were sent to Siberia, and by rights he 
should have gone too. 

Pan M. (l., with meaning). Pan Bolski, words as 
light as yours have sent many a man to his death. 
You, an American, do not understand. 

Tadeusz. I understand the Russian Government 
is rotten to the core. No justice ! No free speech. 
I understand that just as well as you and Polivanof 
here. You both know it. All the more reason you 
should be friends. 

Pan M. A friend of yours is a friend of ours. 
(To Sasha.) This room was cleared for a dance. 
I will have the table and other furniture brought back. 

(Exit, L.) 

Tadeusz. Well, Polivanof, I never thought to see 
you in uniform. I suppose that means you have gone 
back to the army. 

Sasha. I share my country's fate. 

Tadeusz. There you go — Fate, Fate. I suppose 
you would say it was Fate that sent my horse lame on 
just this stretch of road. 

Sasha. Yes, Fate. But a day's delay will not alter 
your life's history much. 

Tadeusz. You wouldn't say that if you had seen 
her. 

Sasha. Her? You can't be in love, Bolski? 

Tadeusz. It is not so much her beauty as the li.^ht 
in her eyes. She makes me feel like something better 
than myself when I talk with her. 



22 THE SPIRIT OF POLAND 

Sasha. You are impressionable, my friend. These 
Poles are charming, no doubt, but 

Tadeusz. Wait till you see her. Then you will 
understand. 

Sasha (slowly). I hope I shall not. I could never 
understand without being in love. 

Tadeusz (embarrassed but hearty gratitude). I 
say You are a brick, Polivanof. 

Sasha. Why ? 

Tadeusz. I understand you. 

Sasha. Do you? I doubt it. Why this praise? 

Tadeusz. Oh, merely Well, it is rather de- 
cent of you. I understand. 

Sasha. What ? 

Tadeusz. You don't want to be my rival. 

Sasha (slowly). You are mistaken. I was think- 
ing of myself. I should be sorry to fall in love with 
a Pole. 

Tadeusz. With a Pole ! 

Sasha (slowly). Yes. You will pardon me. I 
am always outspoken. What I mean is, I should be 
sorry to fall in love with one of an inferior race. 

Tadeusz (indignant). Upon my word! 

Sasha. You do not know the Poles. 

Tadeusz. I am one myself. 

Sasha. No. You are a typical American. 

Tadeusz. But when you set up for a liberal — a 
friend of the oppressed — and then to talk of 

Sasha (interrupting with deliberation*) , I wish all 
people free. I wish the Poles free — the Jews also. 
I should like to see the blackamoors in Africa free. 
Good-will is one thing, marriage is another. 

(Enter Wanda, l. She stands a fezv paces inside 
door, as if she had intended to speak, but had for- 
gotten what to say.) 

Tadeusz. Pana Malewski, this is Lieutenant Sasha 
Polivanof. (Sarcastically, aside to Sasha.) One of 
a superior race. 

Wanda (acknowledging with inclination of the 



THE SPIRIT OF POLAND 23 

head). Has Lieutenant Sasha Polivanof everything 
he wants? 

Sasha. Thank you, yes. 

Wanda (with suppressed scorn). The house and 
everything in it is at his service. 

Sasha. I cannot accept 

Wanda (sarcasm betrayed). Perhaps he would 
like the daughter of the house to polish his boots 
for him. 

Sasha. May I ask if Pana Malewski overheard 
what I was saying before she entered ? 

Wanda. A Polish lady does not listen behind 
doors. 

Sasha (turning away and betraying relief; then, 
gravely). And a Russian gentleman does not ask a 
lady to polish his boots. 

Wanda (impulsively) . Your pardon! 

Sasha (stepping forward). Your pardon- — for 
everything I have said. (He kisses her hand.) 

(Enter Pan M., l., with bottle. He goes r., followed 
by Sebastian with a table and chair. Sebastian 
places them, r. c, as quietly as possible.) 

Pan M. (surprised). Lieutenant Polivanof — 
(then with unruffled courtesy) I see you have met 
your hostess. Here is the wine. Will you be seated ? 

Sasha. When my host has a chair. 

(Pan M. goes to sideboard, up r., and brings glasses. 
Exit Sebastian, l. Wanda goes to settle up l. ) 

Tadeusz. Tell us what you are doing here, Poli- 
vanof. 

(Pan M., at r., uncorks bottle.) 

Sasha. Seeing to the recruiting. I am also sur- 
veying the country. In war-time good maps are a 
necessity. 

Pan M. Especially good maps of Poland. Good 
maps of Poland have been needed in ^very European 



24 THE SPIRIT OF POLAND 

war. (He fills glasses. Reenter Sebastian, l., with 
two more chairs, then exit, l. ) Will you now be 
seated ? 

(The men sit, Pan M. at r. of table, Sash a to the l. 
and Tadeusz back.) 

Sasha (sighing and abruptly changing the subject). 
You have splendid looking men in your village, Pan 
M ale w ski. You should have seen them mustering on 
the green. Tall, stalwart fellows — heads up, shoul- 
ders back — magnificent soldiers. 

Tadeusz. Look here, Polivanof ! 

(Wanda comes down l.) 

Wanda (hotly). W r hy do you come to take away 
our men? Jan leaves Basia and little Zosia, Jusef 
leaves Magda, and Stach leaves Manka when he was 
to have married her only a few weeks from now. 
What right has Russia to our men ? 

Pan M. (warningly). Wanda! 

Sasha (quietly). The great war has come, 
Mademoiselle, — the greatest war in all history. Rus- 
sia has need of all her subjects. 

Wanda (unheeding). What is the war to Poland, 
with half her men under the Kaiser and half under 
the Czar? 

Sasha. The war will mean something to Poland 
if Russia wins. 

Wanda (paying no attention). Cousin fighting 
cousin, and brother fighting brother. You have taken 
away our freedom, and now you would make us mur- 
der our own kith and kin. 

Pan M. (interrupting Wanda; to Sasha). My 
daughter has said too much. Will you forget it? 

Sasha (rising). Forget? No! I sympathize too 
much to forget. (To Wanda.) I say a victory for 
Russia will mean a victory for Poland. I will tell you 
something I know. In a few days the Czar will pub- 
lish a proclamation to all the Poles that if they will 
fight for him he will give them liberty. 



THE SPIRIT OF POLAND 25 

Wanda (joyfully). Liberty for Poland! 

Sasha. Autonomy ! 

Pan M. Ah! What does he mean by that? 

Sasha. I am not certain. I only know what I 
hope he means : a free land and a free people, bound 
only to Russia by the ties of friendship. 

Wanda. Bless you for that ! 

Pan M. (rising). I never hoped to hear such 
words from a Russian. There is no doubt about our 
loyalty when for once Russia is on the right side and 
fighting against our common foe ! 

W'anda. The common foe of all humanity. 

Tadeusz (rising). Do you mean that the feelings 
in Poland are stronger against the Germans than the 
Russians ? 

Wanda. Our feelings had time to grow strong 
during the thousand years when we had forever to 
guard against their treacherous assaults and fight 
against them ! 

Tadeusz. I remember — the first reigning Polish 
princess — your namesake — drowned herself rather 
than marry a German and deliver Poland into German 
hands. 

Wanda. Every right-minded Polish girl would do 
as much now. 

Sasha. I am glad to hear such sentiments — to 
prove to you my good-w T ill, Mademoiselle, I will 
watch over your peasants. Stach, you say? 

Wanda. And Jan and Jusef. 

Sasha. And Jan and Jusef of this village. They 
will be in my command. I will see they are well 
treated, and send you news of them. 

Wanda. Oh, if you would! 

(Tadeusz crosses to l. — conflict bctzveen jealousy and 
humor.) 

Sasha. ' Where is a piece of p^per that I may 
write — ah — (spying torn order) this will do. (He 
picks it up and unfolds it. Then he smiles.) You 
do not treat official papers with much respect, Mad- 



26 THE SPIRIT OF POLAND 

emoiselle. I think I recognize this. " To take under 

your roof Lieutenant Polivanof " Ah, well, it 

will do nicely to write down the men's names — and 
also yours. 

{He seat$ himself, R. c, at table, takes pencil from 
pocket and waits expectant.) 

Wanda. Jan of the bridge. 
Sasha. Yes. 

Wanda, jusef by the green. 
Sasha. Jusef by the green. 
Wanda. Stach the tall — all from our village. 
Sasha {writing and looking up). And your name? 
Wanda. W'anda Malewski. 

Sasha {as he writes). Pana Wanda Malewski, 
{dreamily) Wanda! 
Wanda. Thank you. 

{She looks down; for tears have started to her eyes.) 

Pan M. If Russia gives Poland her freedom it 
will be the grandest, the most generous act. 

Sasha. I believe Russia is capable of it. I believe 
when I am fighting for Russia I am lighting for free- 
dom, for justice, and for the nations that have a right 
to be. I believe I am fighting for Poland. 

Wanda. You are a hero. You will deliver your 
country and mine from tyranny. 

Tadeusz {at l., still aloof, to Sasha). You come 
in a devil and go out an angel. 

Sasha {rising). Then let me wear the Polish 
colors — if not openly, then next my heart. Give me 
a knot of the Polish red that I may never forget that 
the honor of my country is bound up with the liberty 
of yours. 

{He holds out his hand, and Wanda takes the bow of 
red ribbon from her breast and gives it to him. He 
looks at her, then carries it to his lips and places it 
next his heart.) 

Pan M. Wanda, this wine is not good enough for 



THE SPIRIT OF POLAND 27 

our guest. {He rises, goes up c. and rings.) He 
shall have the oldest, the very oldest. {Enter Se- 
bastian, l. Pan M. comes down l.) Sebastian, 
take this bottle away, and bring up 

{He goes close to Sebastian, indicating by his gestures 
his excitement, but speaking too low to be heard. 
He gives Sebastian key. Sebastian goes to table, 
picks up bottle, and exit l., eyebrows arched.) 

Sasiia (r. c). The thought of Poland, the thought 
of you will give me strength when the bullets sing. 
I shall see your face as I see it now; your eyes will 
light me. 

Tadeusz (l.). A Russian and a Pole can never be 
friends ! I, an American, do not understand. 

Wanda (l.). Pan Polivanof is different. 

Tadeusz. Not so very. 

Pan M. (a, hand on Sasiia's shoulder, pressing 
him back into seat). Sit down ! Sit down, my friend. 
You have spoken words which bring hope again to my 
heart. I cannot honor you enough. 

(Pan M. speaks a moment with Sasha.) 

Tadeusz. I am not so fortunate as my friend. He 
leaves to-morrow to fight for Poland and for you, and 
I leave to go quietly back to America. 

Wanda. Then you are going home ? 

Tadeusz. Yes. 

Wanda. But I do not understand. The chance 
has come, the chance of a hundred years. The free- 
dom of Poland hangs in the balance. And you — after 
all you have said 

Tadeusz. Turn my back like a coward? Well — 
there is one reason, just one, why I will not fight in 
this war. Polivanof will pardon me, I am always out- 
spoken — I have no faith in Russia. 

Wanda. Then your chance will never come ! 

Tadeusz. I find I am practical, after all. I will 
not fight where I see no hope. 

Wanda. No hope ! After all he has said. 



28 THE SPIRIT OF POLAND 

Tadeusz. Some day I shall yet serve Poland. 

When I do (He pauses.) When I do, will you 

give me also a knot of ribbon? 

Wanda. That time will never come. 

Tadeusz. Who can tell ? 

Wanda. Chances come only to the brave. 

Tadeusz (after pausing to master himself). The 
cause to which I give my life shall be the liberty of 
Poland — not the aggrandizement of Russia. 

(Reenter Sebastian, l., with bottle of wine and four 
glasses which he places on table. Exit, l.) 

Pan M. (going to table). Friends, too often has 
the cause of liberty been wrecked by just such words 
as have been spoken. Now, on the eve of parting, on 
the eve of a great conflict, let us remember that our 
hearts are united in one hope. 

Tadeusz. Thank you, Pan Malewski. I stand re- 
buked. 

Pan M. This, my friends, is the last bottle of my 
grandfather's vintage. (He draws cork.) Six times 
has one health been drunk in this wine — always the 
same health. (He pours.) Once it was drunk in 
war-time to the sound of cannon, and once in the 
midst of desolation where a few met by night among 
ruins. Twice it has been drunk in a foreign land, and 
twice in a land bounds in chains. Will you drink that 
health in this wine, for the seventh time and the last? 

Sasiia. I know what the health is. 

Tadeusz. So do I. 

Sasha (raising his glass). To a Free and United 
Poland ! 

Wanda. Right ! Right ! 

Tadeusz. To a Free and United Poland ! 

Pan M. and Wanda. To a Free and United Po- 
land! 

(With glasses held high they gather and touch glasses, 
then drink the health.) 

CURTAIN 



ACT II 

SCENE. — A snowy field near the village. Time, dur- 
ing the Russian retreat. Pan Malewski and 
Wanda standing, l., looking off at l. 

Wanda (pointing). There, Father, don't you see 
him? 

Pan M. Where? The snow makes my eyes ache. 

Wanda. No. I was mistaken. I thought I saw a 
dark speck off toward the setting sun. 

Pan M. Heaven send he gets here before night. 
I see now I should not have sent him. 

Wanda. It was I who sent him. 

Pan M. Yes, sweetheart, — because I complained. 

Wanda. No wonder ! A whole week without 
news. 

Pan M. I should have waited another week. 

Wanda. He has been over the road so often. He 
can't get lost. 

Pan M. No, no. He can't lose his way. 

Wanda. He isn't in sight yet, though I can see for 
miles. I can almost see the spires of the town. The 
plain is like a white sea. 

Pan M. It will be a red sea soon with the sunset. 

Wanda. And then black. (Comes down c.) 

Pan M. You cannot see him — not a sign of him? 

Wanda (scanning horizon at back). Not a sign. 
(Turns l. again and looks off.) Why, there is some 
one — there behind the fir-trees. (Points l.) There! 
There! Isn't that Sebastian? 

Pan M. (looking l.). This man is on foot. 

W'anda. It is he. He has left his horse in the 
village. (She waves.) 

(Enter Sebastian, l.) 

29 



30 



THE SPIRIT OF POLAND 



Pan M. Any news? Any letters? 
Sebastian. A letter and a paper. 

Wanda. Read the news. Never mind the letter. 

Pan M. The letter is from America. 

Wanda. Oh ! 

Pan M. {coming down r.). Still, I will read the 
news first. 

(Sebastian stands l.) 

Wanda (c). Oh, no! it is a week old. 

Pan M. " The letter is elder than that. (He opens 
it smiling.) It is from Tadeusz Bolski. {He looks at 
Wanda, who pretends no interest.) He says he is 
well. 

W t anda. Why should he not be well ? All is com- 
fort and prosperity there. 

Pan M. And has met his mother. 

Wanda. Oh, yes. He will never leave home 
again. We have seen the last of him. 

Pan M. He says he thinks of us often. 

Wanda. Thoughts will not save Poland. 

Pan M. Wanda — {he looks at her meaningly, but 
she will not look up) wiser men than he distrust 
Russia. 

Wanda (with indifference). Oh, I am fair to him. 
(With change of voice.) Father, read us the news. 

(Pan M. opens the paper.) 

Pan M. (aloud). The Russians 

(He forgets to read aloud in his excitement, scanning 
the paper with breathless interest. He beats it with 
his fist, and then spreads it out again on the table. 
Wanda springs to his side to read.) 

Sebastian (eagerly). Please, sir — the news — have 
the Russians won a victory? 

Wanda. The Russians have been defeated. 

Sebastian. I have heard worse news. 

Wanda. Yes, but they are retreating across Po- 
land. 



THE SPIRIT OF POLAND 31 

Pan M. Wanda, did you notice the date? 

Wanda. No, what? 

Pan M. {pointing). More than a week ago. 

Wanda. Why, that means that they may be here 
now — any minute. 

Pan M. And that? (Pointing.) 

Wanda. Orders — 

Pan M. Yes, orders. 

Wanda (after reading). Oh, it can't be true. 

Sebastian. What, Panienka? (Wanda pushes 
paper toward Sebastian, and begins to cry on her 
fathers shoulder. Sebastian, half to himself.) 
Panienka forgets I cannot read. 

Pan M. Don't cry, don't cry, my little one, it may 
not be so bad. (To Sebastian.) The army has in- 
structions to destroy all the stores of food so the Ger- 
mans cannot follow, and to drive the people into 
Russia. 

(Sebastian makes gesture of despair.) 

Wanda. But, Father, it can't be true. 

Pan M. It may not be true, but if it is I have a 
good deal to attend to. Sebastian, go and warn the 
peasants of what may come. 

(Exit Sebastian, r.) 

Wanda. I shall stay here. 

Pan M. (irritated). Nonsense, child. 

Wanda (half sadly). I am not a child. 

Pan M. I can't leave you here. Why do you want 
to stay? 

Wanda. I am a woman. 

Pan M. (resuming the playful tone of happier 
days). A silly little girl — naughty, too. 

Wanda. If I do not stay, who will bring you word 
if the soldiers come? I am a woman, and I have a 
right to do my part and watch. (Quick change to 
play fid. ) Don't prevent me, or I shall lose my temper. 

Pan M. What a terrible threat ! 

Wanda. May I stay? 



32 THE SPIRIT OF POLAND 

Pan M. Well — home before dark? 

Wanda. Yes. 

Pan M. Run, if you see soldiers? 

Wanda. Yes. 

Pan M. Good-bye, my treasure. 

(Exit Pan M., r.) 

Wanda. Say, " Good-bye, Sentinel." 

Pan M. (off stage). Good-bye, Sentinel! 

Wanda (a). Good-bye, Captain. (She stands at 
attention — then relaxes, and looks at Tadeusz's let- 
ter.) Better men than he distrust Russia. (She looks 
off l., and hides letter, as though instinctively. Enter 
Sash a, l.) Pan Polivanof ! Is it chance or a good 
angel brings you here? 

Sash a. Fate, Pana Malewski (he kisses her hand) 
— and an angel. But I come with a retreating army. 

(Throughout this scene, he speaks zvith marked slow- 
ness, except when marked to the contrary.) 

Wanda (interrupting after the zvord " retreating "). 
You can tell me, is it true the Russians will burn every- 
thing as they retreat ? 

Sasha. It is true, Mademoiselle. But it is not of 
that 

Wanda (interrupting). But you command the 
troops which will pass this way? 

Sasha. I command some of them. But that is 
neither here nor there. 

Wanda. Oh, then it is the Holy Virgin who sends 
you to us. You love the Poles. You will save us. 
You will tell your soldiers to spare us. 

Sasha. I'll do all I can. But this is beside the 
point. It is you I have come to save. 

Wanda (not heeding last clause). I am so grate- 
ful ! So thankful. I had rather die than see the 
little children, the old people, wandering homeless in 
the snow. 

Sasha. It is not a question of children and old 
people now, but of you yourself. You are in danger. 



THE SPIRIT OF POLAND 



33 



Wanda. I suffer with my people. 

Sasha. You do not know the horrors of a re- 
treat, — of an invasion, and all that follows. 

Wanda. I am not afraid. 

Sasha {passionately) . I say you do not know. It 
is these little hands (he takes her hands) that will 
wither — these eyes grow dim; the brightest being on 
God's earth that will suffer. Fate shall not ask it. 

Wanda {frightened) . You mean — the retreat — but 
you promised to protect us from the Russians. I do 
not understand. 

Sasha {rapidly). Do not be frightened. I will 
save you. Marry me. I will get a priest now. There 
is time. I have ridden ahead of my men. Marry me 
and ride with my troops into safety. 

Wanda {withdrawing her hands). Oh, no! no! 
It wasn't that I meant. 

Sasha (still rapidly). Your father will bless me 
for taking you away. 

Wanda (in distress). Oh, it was of my people I 
was thinking. Thank you for all your kindness, but — 
I am not ungrateful, but now let us talk of my people. 

Sasha (rapidly). I say you do not know the hor- 
ror. It is you who will suffer — and I love you. 

Wanda (slowly). I should be a deserter — a 
coward. I cannot. Now let us talk of my people. 

Sasha (passionately). But I love you, Wanda. 

Wanda. If you love me, you love Poland. What 
can you do for her? 

Sasha. Your men — Jan, Jusef, Stach, I will still 
look after them. 

Wanda. But Poland 

Sasha. Your house — your barns — shall be safe. 

Wanda. But the village there? (Points r.) 

Sasha (in final effort). We are wasting time. 

Wanda (firmly). The village before our eyes! 

(Points r.) 

Sasha (bending head, as if yielding to Fate). A 
soldier knows only his orders. 



34 THE SPIRIT OF POLAND 

Wanda. I knew it ! I knew it ! They will do 
exactly as you tell them. 

Sash a. A soldier knows only his orders. {He 
pauses, expecting interruption.) And — I am a sol- 
dier. 

Wanda. You are an officer. 

Sasha. But I act no more of my own free will 
than the commonest man in • the ranks. I also am 
under orders. 

Wanda {with sudden change of manner). What 
are they? 

Sasha. When so great a cause is at stake 

Wanda. What are your orders? 

Sasha {looking at distance). To clear the land of 
every shelter and of all food — of anything that might 
be of use to the Germans. 

Wanda. That means cottages? 

{Light begins to grow dimmer.) 

Sasha {pause). Yes. 

Wanda. Cattle ? 

Sasha {pause). Yes. 

Wanda. Grain ? 

Sasha {pause). Yes. 

Wanda. And you will bid your men do it? 

Sasha. My orders 

Wanda. Disobey your orders. You told me you 
were ready to die for Poland. You asked for a knot 
of the Polish red to remind you you were fighting for 
Poland. Disobey your orders. They cannot do more 
than kill you. 

Sasha (sadly). You cannot understand. I would 
fight for Poland — die for Poland. But this must be 
done for the sake of the great cause. It is a military 
necessity. 

Wanda. I do understand you. Russia comes 
first,- — always Russia. Let all Poland starve rather 
than a single foot of Russia be touched! Give me 
back the knot of ribbon I gave you — the Polish colors 
you were to wear next your heart ! 



THE SPIRIT OF POLAND 



35 



Sasha. No! I will still fight for Poland and for 
her rights — though you do not believe me. One day — 
when the war is over — Russia will free Poland; and 
then you will understand. 

Wanda. One day — when the war is over — there 
will be no Poles left. Give me back my colors. I 
shall wear them to my grave. 

{She holds out her hand, and Sasha sadly takes the 
knot of Polish ribbon from an inner pocket and 
hands it to her. She takes ribbon and turns away. 
Saspia looks long at her.) 

Sasha {gesture of despair). Fate wins. 

{Exit Sasha, l., with bent head.) 

Wanda {stretching out her arms toward village, R.). 
To-night Mother Mary looks down on the smoke from 
little chimneys; to-morrow she will look down on 
blackened ruins. To-night she sees the children sleep- 
ing in their cradles; to-morrow she will see them 
carried weeping over the snow. Will a free Poland 
ever rise from the ashes ? 

{Enter Sebastian, r.) 

Sebastian. Panienka ! {Horrified and reproving.) 
What is Panienka doing here? She must come home 
with me. I never heard of such a thing! 

{Exit Sebastian and Wanda, r. A pause of a min- 
ute. The stage grows dark. Then a red glow 
spreads over the scene. The distant wailing of 
women is heard off. Enter Bartosz, l., spying,.) 

Bartosz {calling over shoulder). It is safe. They 
have gone. 

{Enter, l., Hanna, Basia with Zosia, Manka and 
Magda with her baby.) 

Hanna. Woe is me ! What is the good of coming 
back? 



36 THE SPIRIT OF POLAND 

Zosla. Mother, where are we ? 

Basia. We are near the village, darling. 

Zosia. Where is our house? 

Basia. There — over there (pointing r.) by the 
charred tree, where you see the glow. Those red 
coals are our homes. 

Hanna. There is no place to go. In the wide 
snow there is no shelter. 

Magda. In the wide world there is no shelter. 

Manka. No shelter from the winter storms. 

Basia. Come and lie in mother's lap. 

(She seats herself on a log, l., and holds out her 
arms. ) 

Hanna. There is no other place for her to lie. 

Basia (wrapping her cape about Zosia). The snow 
is cold. 

Bartosz. We must stay here, daughter. (He seats 
himself down c.) We must stay here. If we go over 
there the soldiers may find us. 

Hanna. Who knows if they are really gone? 

Bartosz. Oh yoy, yoy, yoy! 

Hanna (sitting down, l. a). Oh yoy! 

Basia. We may not warm our hands in the ashes 
of our homes. 

(Magda and Manka seat themselves close together. 
Magda draws her sha7vl close about the baby and 
bends over it as though to give it extra warmth.) 

Magda. Once I came here with Jusef, six months 
and a year ago. We were planning about our home 
then. 

Vikta. There are no homes for us now; we shall 
never have husbands of our own. All our men have 
gone to feed the cannon. 

Manka. I wish he knew about the baby. 

Magda. I do not wish it. When my child was 
born I was glad. I said, " Even if Jusef dies I shall 
have his son." Now I wish he had never been born. 
I shall see his little hands grow thin and weak. I 



THE SPIRIT OF POLAND 37 

shall see the deep lines come about his mouth. I 
shall hear him cry for the food I cannot give him. 
There is only one end to it all. (To the baby.) Hush, 
little one. Mother loves thee. (She sings lullaby.) 

Bartosz. They have driven away our cattle and 
sheep. Where is the light of dawn? 

Hanna. They have burned the shelter over our 
heads. The embers glow and the embers die. Where 
is the light of the dawn ? 

Bartosz. The winter snows will fall thick on our 
graves, and there will be no dawn. 

Manka (springing up). There is a light! 

(Enter Wanda, r., with light and basket.) 

Wanda. Janova, Jusef ova, — are you here ? 

Hanna. Panienka ! 

Wanda. I could not come to you before they had 
gone. I did not know w T here you were hidden. But 
now I have brought you something to eat. 

All. Thank you ! Bless you ! 

(The peasants crowd about her; some embrace her 
knees zvhile some kiss her hand. Bartosz keeps on 
mumbling, "Bless you! Bless you!" They take 
the food eagerly.) 

Bartosz. They have burned everything. They said 
the Germans should not have it, so they burned it 
all, — hay, grain, our food, our houses, all. 

Hanna. We have no place to lay our heads. 

Wanda. No place to lay your heads ! 

Bartosz. They have taken our cow. 

Hanna. You said the Russians were our friends, 
but they have burned all ; and the women and children 
and old folks, all they could find, they have driven 
before them out of the land. 

Magda. We shall sit in our cellars on charred 
wood and eat roots. When the deep snow comes we 
shall die. My baby boy will die. The Russians have 
done this. 

Bartosz. We are the grain between the millstones — 



38 THE SPIRIT OF POLAND 

Russia is the upper and Germany the lower mill- 
stone — rthey grind, and we — we die ! 

Wanda. No place to lay your heads — and my 
father's house still stands ! Nothing to eat, while the 
soldiers have left us food to share with you ! An 
order saved us, an order given to the soldiers. They 
asked, "Is this Pan Malewski's house?" And then 
they passed on and left us untouched. 

Hanna. Heaven be praised for that ! 

Wanda. As long as there is a roof over our heads 
you shall have shelter. As long as we have any food 
in our house you shall not starve. (To Hanna.) 
You are my foster-mother, and the rest — they are my 
people. 

Hanna. No ! No ! Panienka ! You cannot take 
us in. We would drag you down. 

Wanda. God will send us help from somewhere. 
I feel it is coining. Mother Mary will send us help 
when our need is great. And now, are we not one 
big family? We are one blood and one kindred. If 
there is to be any Poland left, we must stand by one 
another now. I will sell the earrings out of my ears, 
and the rings from my hands, but I will keep you all 
with me. (To Magda.) Jusefova, take this (she 
gives her shazvl to her) to keep him warm. 

Magda. Bless you ! Ah, he shall not die, my little 
son. He shall live to take his father's place. He 
shall live to bless you. Pie shall live to rebuild our 
home. 

Wanda (to all). Come! Come, and put that tired 
child (pointing to Zosia) to bed in the crib where I 
used to sleep. Think wTien you bend over her and 
watch her in the night that even so the Virgin Mother 
bends over us and watches us, her children ! 



curtain 



ACT III 

SCENE. — Same as in Act I. Time, late zvinter after 
Russian retreat. All the silver is gone. A chair 
r. A child's coffin on the table down l. To l. of 
table, Wanda, and little Zosia. Behind table, 
Basia. To r. of table, Magda kneeling. Near her 
are Manka and Hanna. Vikta up l. 

Magda (rising). Now I will set out to the church. 

Wanda (gently). Jusefova, you can never get 
there. A strong horse could scarcely get there in the 
snow. 

Magda. I will get there. I will carry my child on 
my shoulders and place him in consecrated ground. 
There is no drift deep enough to hold me back. 

Hanna. You would be mad to try. 

Magda. But my child will never go to Heaven if 
we bury him in the orchard, as you say. 

Wanda. Do not be afraid. In other times it 
would be as you say, but now — all Poland is conse- 
crated ground. 

(She breaks down and kneels by the coffin at l. of 
table, leaning her head on it and hiding her face in 
her arms. Magda kneels also behind the table.) 

Manka (going to Magda and laying her hand 
on shoulder). Panienka must know, sister. The 
baby will be safe. 

(Magda flings an arm over the coffin, and holds it 
with the other hand as though protecting. She 
shakes her head and looks down, her face hidden. 
As Wanda begins to speak she looks up to her.) 

Wanda (rising). I say all about us is consecrated 
ground. Do you not know how Poland has fought for 

39 



40 THE SPIRIT OF POLAND 

Christendom ? Do you not know how she has stood for 
the right, like a Don Quixote among nations, and never 
counted costs? Do you not know how she has kept 
the true faith in spite of persecution, and suffered and 
died for the sake of Christ? Now, in our time of 
need, Mother Mary will not forget us. She will send 
those Polish women who have died for the faith down 
to earth, and they will bring the soul of every child 
straight up to her. (Magda looks up to Heaven and 
then rests her eyes on Wanda.) There is scarcely a 
child left in Poland now; — but, I am sure, no matter 
where they are buried, Mother Mary has them all in 
her loving arms. 

(Magda turns slowly, and then kneels, r. c, before the 
picture of the Virgin at R. and holds out her arms 
in supplication.) 

Magda. Mother ! Mother Mary ! You had a son ! 
You will take care of my little son. 

(Manka, Basia, Hanna and Vikta take up the 
coffin, and lower it for a moment before the picture, 
while Magda still kneels. Chopin's Funeral March 
heard off. Wanda, winds her Polish crimson sash 
around the coffin. Exit women, c., with coffin, fol- 
lowed by Zosia. Wanda rouses Magda with a 
touch and goes with her to the door c. Enter, l., 
Pan M., with violin, as though he had been playing 
with Magda as far as the door. Wanda kneels be- 
fore picture, R.) 

Wanda (r.). Father, the Virgin smiled at me. 

Pan M. (l., indulgently). Yes, child. 

Wanda (pointing). The picture — I know she 
smiled. (Rises.) 

Pan M. My little girl, people see very strange 
things when they are hungry. 

Wanda. I believe she will send help to us. 

Pan M. (turning away from her). The kind of 
help she sends to all dying souls. 



THE SPIRIT OF POLAND 41 

Wanda (much distressed). No! No! There is 
hope. I am sure of that. 

Pan M. (looking at her again). Wanda, there will 
be nothing left of Poland. Freedom will come too 
late. Foreigners will walk over the graves of a dead 
race and say, " Freedom comes too late. There are 
none to free." 

(Enter Zosia, c.) 

Zosia. I'm hungry! 

Pan M. What is there left? 

W t anda. Three potatoes. 

Pan M. Three potatoes ! (He tarns away, finger- 
ing the violin.) It is time — quite time. 

Wanda. I have sold all the jewelry, you know, 
and the silver— even the nut-picks. And they bring so 
little in the town. But now the snow has come and 
the roads are so deep it does not matter that we have 
nothing left to sell. 

Zosia. I'm hungry ! 

Wanda (to Zosia). Wait a little, dear, and you 
shall have a nice hot potato for lunch. 

Pan M. (to himself). Quite time. This little one 
shall not die — yet. 

(Pan M. passes hand over Zosia's head. She seats 
herself on settle and sleeps.) 

Wanda (to Pan M.). And yet I feel more con- 
fident to-day than ever before. I can't explain why, 
but I know help is very near. 

Pan M. Wanda, I am going to sell my violin. 

(He gets violin case up L. Wanda looks up in blank 
amazement.) 

Wanda. Do you mean you are going to the town ? 
Pan M. It is valuable. It will fetch— ah, several 
bushels of potatoes. 

(He comes down c. and places violin in case.) 



42 THE SPIRIT OF POLAND 

Wanda. But to the town 



Pan M. Yes. I know the danger only too well. 
I should have sold it long ago. I should have gone 
while the roads were open. But — God forgive me — I 
could not bear to part with it. I saw you selling your 
treasures one by one, but I never even offered 

Wanda. Father! Did I value anything of mine 
as I value your violin? (She catches it from case, 
and holds it to her heart.) It has sung me to sleep 
like a mother when my own mother was dead. It is a 
spirit, a living thing. Father, you would break my 
heart if 

Pan M. Wanda, Zosia is hungry. She will be 
hungrier to-morrow. May God forgive me for not 
having gone before, and may He strengthen me now. 

{He takes violin from her, in case, and starts toward 
the door, c.) 

Wanda. Father, hear me. I feel sure that help 
is coming — sure of it. Wait a little — only half an 
hour — and then, if I am wrong I will not keep you. 

Pan M. (solemnly). No, Wanda. Remember, it 
gets dark early. 

Wanda (passionately). But play me something 
before you go ! You cannot refuse me that. (He 
pauses. She smiles and lifts her finger. ) You always 
spoil me. Play ! 

Pan M. What shall I play? (Comes down l.) 

Wanda. The dance — the peasant dance. 

Pan M. So gay? 

Wanda. Memory sleeps in the strings. Wake it! 

Pan M. The days before the war. 

Wanda. Bring back the days before the war! I 
will live them again. (She stretches out her arms.) 
Let me see the bride and bridegroom, the whole troop 
of peasants in the sunshine. Let me see Tadeusz ! 

Pan M. I thought you had forgotten Tadeusz. 

Wanda (unheeding). You can bring him back to 
me. Play! I want to see his frank, bright smile — 
once again before I die. 



THE SPIRIT OF POLAND 



43 



(Pan M. strikes up the old dance time. Wanda 
begins to dance.) 

Pan M. Wanda, you are too weak! 

Wanda {smiling). Do you think I can help danc- 
ing when you play? {He slows down.) Oh, no, don't 
stop! {He plays on and she dances.) When I 
danced before he was coming — he was here — he was 
here! {She dances faster.) He was my partner and 
he snapped his fingers. {As she snaps her fingers the 
music reaches the end and stops. Then her arm drops 
limp,' and she leans against wall at r., her eyes shut.) 
Thank you {panting), oh, so much. Now I see it all 
again. Once again I see the kind, merry look in his 
eyes. 

{Enter Bartosz, c.) 

Bartosz. I've got 'em. 
Pan M. Got what? 

Bartosz. I knew where to look for 'em. I've been 
grubbing under the snow. Frozen beets ! 

{Comes down l. He places them triumphantly on 
table and then hobbles out.) 

Pan M. There, Wanda. There is the help. Now 
I must go. 

Wanda. No, oh, no. Half an hour! You 
promised! What are a few beets? Father, I know 
the Virgin is sending us help. 

Pan M. {sadly and reverently). Ah, yes, I be- 
lieve she is. 

(Wanda stares off l. as if she could see through 
the wall.) 

Wanda. It seems to me that some one is riding. 
He meets great drifts across his path, but he will not 
turn back. He spurs his horse into them, and strug- 
gles forward. 

Pan M. Wanda, you are beside yourself. You 
do not know what you are saying. (Wanda turns 



44 



THE SPIRIT OF POLAND 



giddy, and readies to chair, r., for support.) Are 
you ill? 

Wanda. No, indeed, only everything seemed to 
sway for a moment. Now I am all right. 

{Enter Sebastian, c, with package. Zosia comes 
down r. to Wanda.) 

Sebastian. May I speak with you? 
Pan M. My old friend! What is it? 
Sebastian {coming down l.). I have something 
here for my master. 

(Sebastian gives package to Pan M. and stands back. 
Pan M. opens package.) 

Pan M. Food ! Sebastian ! — See, Wanda, see ! 
{His voice shakes.) Sebastian must have saved this 
from his share. {He turns and takes both Sebastian's 
hands in his.) Sebastian, I thank you — not for my- 
self, but for her whom we both watch over and guard. 
{He drops his hands and turns to Wanda.) And now 
you will not forbid me to do my share. I must go. 

Wanda. I shall not let you go. He is coming 
nearer. I hear the beat of his horse's hoofs. Se- 
bastian, I cannot thank you for all you have done — but 
soon all of us shall have enough. Here, Zosia shall 
have this now. 

{She gives Zosia some food. The child eats.) 

Sebastian. No, no, Panienka ! It is for you. 

Wanda. Soon all of us shall have enough. Father, 
you shall not go. Now he is coming through the 
village. {She stares through the wall back up l. ) 
Now he is coming up the hill — now he is at the door. 
{Points to door c. Tadeusz enters, c, carrying saddle- 
bags, which he flings on the floor. Wanda, her eyes 
wide and bright.) Tadeusz! 

Tadeusz (seizing Pan M.'s hand, and shaking it). 
How are you? Safe? Well? Thank Heaven I have 
not come too late. 



THE SPIRIT OF POLAND 45 

Wanda (as if faint, turning to picture). Mother, 
I have never doubted. 

Pan M. (with instinctive courtesy, but as if be- 
wildered). You are most welcome. 

Wanda (as if in dream). I have prayed for help 
so long. 

(Tadeusz's eyes are on Wanda.) 

Pan M. I am afraid we have not much to offer 
our guest. , Potatoes, beets, — oh, yes, and this from 
Sebastian. 

Tadeusz (hastily, to Pan M.). I have enough with 
me — Good Heavens! (Wanda sways as if about to 
fall Tadeusz springs to her side and places her in a 
chair, r.) There, you will feel better soon. (He 
kneels by the chair, rubbing her hands.) How long 
is it since she had something to eat ? 

Pan M. I scarcely know. 

Wanda. I have prayed for help for so long. 

Tadeusz. Have you a fire? Cannot something 
be heated? 

Wanda. I have prayed also that you might come. 

Tadeusz (taking her hand). Nothing shall hurt 
you now. You are safe, quite safe. I will stand be- 
tween you and every danger. 

Wanda. You have not changed. The same kind 
spirit looks out of your eyes. 

Tadeusz. You are glad to see me, then ? 

Wanda. Content, absolutely happy. 

Tadeusz. But I am a coward — a runaway. 

Wanda. The Russian retreat has come since I 
spoke those words. (They look at each other. 
Wanda looks around the room zvith a smile.) The 
decorations are not so gay as when you first came. 

Tadeusz. But the feast shall be real enough; my 
saddle-bags are full. 

Wanda (rising). It is time they came in. Se- 
bastian, go and call them. 

(Exit Sebastian, c, follozvcd by Zosia.) 



46 THE SPIRIT OF POLAND 

Tadeusz (r. c). Before they come, will you give 
me a knot of the Polish red? I have traveled many 
miles to earn it. 

Wanda {taking ribbon in hand, but hesitating). 
But you cannot help Poland. You cannot feed a 
whole people. It is all very well for us to be saved, 
but what of Poland? What of our people who starve? 
What of our country, which will never be a country 
again ? 

Tadeusz. It shall be a country again. I have 
brought help to you, but the American people sends 
help to your people. I have come to Poland as agent 
for the Polish Relief Society. I bring money to buy 
food and supplies. 

Pan M. (crossing r.). Wanda, I was wrong to 
doubt. God will never desert Poland. 

Wanda. There is hope in every word you speak. 
Say it again, " The American people sends help to our 
people. Poland shall be a country again." 

Tadeusz. Poland shall be a country again. 

Wanda. And it is you who have done all this. 

Tadeusz. I ! No. 

Wanda. You have stirred up sympathy for us. 

Tadeusz. No ! No ! I am only one — one among 
the scores who have spoken and worked. 

Wanda. You would deny your share if you could, 
but I read the truth in your eyes. 

Tadeusz (turning away to avoid praise). Pan 
Malewski, I am proud of America. I have found 
sympathy everywhere. Even the little children have 
given to the cause, and men who could ill afford it. 

Pan M. He has raised up friends for us in a far 
country, and heart touches heart across the tossing sea. 

Wanda. You do not talk of Fate. 

Tadeusz. No time when people are starving. 

Wanda. You work, act. 

Tadeusz. I have work enough ahead. Tell me, 
through my wintry rides, may I carry a knot of the 
ribbon ? Do I serve Poland now ? 

Wanda. You may have it. But you must give 
me a knot of the red, white and blue to remind me of 



THE SPIRIT OF POLAND 47 

America, and the warm human hearts there that 
understand. 

(They exchange ribbons; he gives her the red, white 
and blue badge he wears on his coat.) 

Tadeusz. This I take for a reminder — a keepsake, 
to carry through the months of hard work ahead, but 
when the war is over 

Wanda. Ah, then 

Tadeusz. Then I shall seek another reward — your 
love. 

Wanda. You carry it with you there already, 
there with the Polish ribbon. (She places her hand 
over the Polish ribbon; he stoops and kisses her; she 
looks up in his face with enthusiasm burning in her 
eyes.) If America will only help us for a little 
w r hile — a short while — Poland will live! Poland will 
one day be a nation. (Enter the peasants, c.) My 
friends, we have endured together, let us rejoice to- 
gether. Now our sufferings are over. (She catches 
the Polish flag 1 from the wall and holds it high.) 
Long live Poland ! 

Tadeusz. Long live Poland ! 

(Puts his arm about Wanda. All sing Polish national 
song. Wanda stands between Tadeusz and Pan 
M. Zosia, held by her mother, stands on table and 
the rest are grouped in background.) 

CURTAIN 

1 The Polish flag consists of a band of Polish crimson m<er a band 
of tvhite. A spread eagle in crimson and white appeals in the middle 
of the flag, partly against the crimson, and partly against the white. 
Another form of the Polish flag consists of an entirely crimson back- 
ground, with a white ea^le in the center. 

The xvords of the Polish hymn referred to are as follows ; 

Though they dig a grave for Polish spirit, 

It but rests asleep ; 

It will grow with ten times greater strength, 

because its roots lie deep. 
Though they stamp us out like fire, 

toe shall ri<:e like fire again, 
When the wind of freedom fans to flame 

glowing coals in hearts of men. 

The music can be found in various collections of national airs, 
among others " The American Home Music Album." 



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